03.22.22

Chairman Scott Statement on DOL Preparing COVID-19 Workplace Safety Standard for Health Care Workers

WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it is preparing to issue a final workplace safety standard that will protect health care workers against workplace COVID-19 infections.

“Today, the Department of Labor took a long-overdue step to keep our nation’s health care workers safe during the pandemic. As I have repeatedly warned, COVID-19 still poses a life-threatening danger that demands a permanent and enforceable workplace safety standard for health care workers. Far too many nurses and other health care workers are continuing to face COVID-19 infections, long-term health consequences, and even the loss of life.

“This DOL announcement comes at a pivotal moment in our ongoing recovery. By working toward a final workplace safety standard, we have an opportunity to provide health care workers with the consistent safety protections they need to continue keeping all of us safe. I look forward to working with the Biden-Harris Administration and my colleagues to swiftly issue a final rule that protects health care workers against COVID-19.”

The DOL announcement comes after the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdrew its emergency workplace safety standard for health care workers on December 27, 2021. On January 15, 2022, Chairman Scott and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairwoman Alma Adams (NC-12) wrote a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to preserve the emergency standard while DOL worked towards a permanent standard.

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